Carol Chan' s stories

HNA Group said on February 14 that some of its directors and top executives had purchased offshore US dollar bonds guaranteed by the company, as it continues to try to reassure investors about its stretched finances.

Sharjah, the third-largest constituent of the United Arab Emirates, last Thursday became the first Middle Eastern issuer to sell Panda bonds, paving the way for more cash-strapped Gulf sovereigns to raise funds in China.

Sharjah, the third largest constituent of the United Arab Emirates, has become the first Middle Eastern issuer to sell Panda bonds, paving the way for more cash-strapped Gulf sovereigns to raise funds in China.

A default scare in China’s onshore debt markets has put the spotlight on the country’s local government finances at a time when more financing vehicles are turning to the offshore markets to raise funds.

Chinese issuance of US dollar bonds soared to another record in 2017 and may account for an even bigger share of regional supply next year, as the mainland’s deleveraging campaign leads to more refinancings, bankers and analysts say.